Summer City Centre event planned

(Date of issue: Thursday, 2 July 2009)

Carlisle’s first ever Teenlife event will be held on Saturday, 11 July, with the aim of promoting health issues for the city’s younger generation.

Organised by Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council’s Healthy Schools team and members of the Carlisle Joint Schools Council, it will be held in the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area between 11am and 4pm.

A wide range of agencies who work alongside, or for the benefit, of young people, including Connexions, NHS Cumbria and Carlisle College will all be attending to provide advice and support. Around 20 tents will host agencies offering advice on topics from stopping smoking to healthy eating. There will also be demonstrations of various sports including taekwondo and basketball.

The opportunity to take part in dance workshops will also be on offer within a large yurt (a round Mongolian tent). Live entertainment will also be provided throughout the event, organised by CFM Radio. Bands will be performing on a stage near to the Old Town Hall.

This event has been organised to support the roll out of the Teen Lifecheck, an online health questionnaire for 12 – 15 year olds produced by the Department of Health. For further information visit www.teenlifecheck.co.uk

Funding for the event was provided by the Healthy Communities and Older People’s Group of the Carlisle Partnership and the Risk Taking Behaviour Board, working in partnership with the Department of Health. The aim is to promote the Teen Lifecheck website and healthy lifestyles for young people locally. Support has also been provided by Carlisle City Council.

Cllr Mike Mitchelson Leader of Carlisle City Council said:

“There are a number of benefits in promoting Teen LifeCheck to young people in the Carlisle area. The initiative is designed to encourage healthy lifestyles among young people; help them gain more control over their health and well-being and stimulate discussion on a broad range of public health issues. This awareness raising event is a great way of reaching out to young people and of highlighting some of the issues and choices they need to make about their own health and wellbeing.’’

Jen Jackson, Cumbria Healthy Schools Co-ordinator (East) Cumbria County Council:

“For the past two years the Cumbria Healthy Schools team has enjoyed working in partnership with Carlisle City Council and the city's secondary schools to support the Carlisle Joint School Council. The young people on the council, who represent their schools, voted this year to develop the Teenlife project. They wanted to organise an event which was created by young people for young people, where making healthier choices was promoted in an interesting and relevant way. We are delighted to support this exciting event."

Ben Crystal, the Chair of the Carlisle Joint Schools Council added:

“It will be a fantastic event packed with music, activities and information, by young people for young people. It is a free event, so come down, bring your friends and have a great time.”